entrepreneur

[ ahn-truh-pruh-nur, -noo r; French ahn-truh-pruh-nœr ]
/ ˌɑn trə prəˈnɜr, -ˈnʊər; French ɑ̃ trə prəˈnœr /

noun, plural en·tre·pre·neurs [ahn-truh-pruh-nurz, -noo rz; French ahn-truh-pruh-nœr] /ˌɑn trə prəˈnɜrz, -ˈnʊərz; French ɑ̃ trə prəˈnœr/.

a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.
an employer of productive labor; contractor.

verb (used with object)

to deal with or initiate as an entrepreneur.

verb (used without object)

to act as an entrepreneur.

Origin of entrepreneur

1875–80; < French: literally, one who undertakes (some task), equivalent to entrepren(dre) to undertake (< Latin inter- inter- + prendere to take, variant of prehendere) + -eur -eur. See enterprise

OTHER WORDS FROM entrepreneur

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH entrepreneur

entrepreneur intrapreneur

Example sentences from the Web for entrepreneur

British Dictionary definitions for entrepreneur

entrepreneur
/ (ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜː, French ɑ̃trəprənœr) /

noun

the owner or manager of a business enterprise who, by risk and initiative, attempts to make profits
a middleman or commercial intermediary

Derived forms of entrepreneur

entrepreneurial, adjective entrepreneurship, noun

Word Origin for entrepreneur

C19: from French, from entreprendre to undertake; see enterprise

Cultural definitions for entrepreneur

entrepreneur
[ (ahn-truh-pruh-nur, ahn-truh-pruh-noor) ]

One who starts a business or other venture that promises economic gain but that also entails risks.